The Latest Drought Monitor Report For Central Alabama

Drought Conditions Continue To Improve In Central Alabama
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that drought conditions have improved significantly in Central Alabama. Severe Drought is no longer indicated in Central Alabama. Moderate Drought is only found now from Etowah and Northern Calhoun counties northeast across Cherokee county and from southeast Lowndes county and Pike county east to Russell and northern Barbour counties. Remaining areas are indicated to be either Abnormally Dry or Normal.

The Drought Monitor classifies drought within one of these five categories:
D0…Abnormally Dry
D1…Moderate Drought
D2…Severe Drought
D3…Extreme Drought
D4…Exceptional Drought

Climate Summary
Periodic weather systems during the past two weeks brought more beneficial rainfall to Central Alabama. Rainfall averaged generally between one and three inches…with locally greater amounts. Most locations have returned to near or above normal rainfall for the year…although the southeast sections continue to run below normal. This has significantly improved drought conditions over much of Central Alabama.

Some precipitation amounts (inches) for Central Alabama from January 1st through February 28th…

Agricultural Impacts
There are not any known widespread agricultural problems at this time due to the current drought conditions. Information from the USDA indicates above average temperatures in February are causing fruit trees to begin budding. Warm weather and abundant rainfall have also helped cool season pastures to start greening up. Field preparation is a little behind due to rain, and hay stocks are adequate.

Fire Danger Impacts
The Fire Danger Risk is generally low across Central Alabama at this time with Keetch-Byram Drought Indices (KBDI) currently running at 100 or below across most of the area…with isolated areas up to 200. Values above 500 indicate a Severe Fire Danger.

Despite the fact that there are currently no burn bans issued by the Alabama Forestry Commission, the State Forester continues to urge people that are doing any outside burning to follow safety precautions such as not leaving any fire unattended and having the proper equipment and personnel to control the fire.

Hydrologic Summary And Outlook
The latest USGS Stream Gauge Data indicates that stream flows are currently running near to above normal across much of Central Alabama following the recent rainfall. Periodic rainfall will be needed for stream flows to remain near normal or above normal levels as we continue through the winter season into spring.

Most of the major reservoir pool levels are near their rule guide and have remained fairly steady during the past two weeks. A few reservoirs have been raised a little above their normal winter pool
levels by operators to facilitate filling them later this spring should the drought persist or worsen.

Social Impacts
Reservoir levels are near their rule guide in most locations. There are no known mandatory water restrictions currently in effect. However normal water conservation methods are encouraged to be followed in the event that the drought conditions persist or worsen during the next few weeks.

Precipitation And Temperature Outlook
A cold front was bringing rain to Central Alabama this morning and should push out of the area by tonight. Most rainfall totals with this weather system are expected to be less than an inch. Behind this front, dry weather with more seasonable temperatures are expected to prevail through the weekend and into Monday. However, by late Monday and Tuesday, some chance for rain is expected to return to the area.

The Two Week Outlook…from March 6th through March 14th…calls for below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation chances. The Longer-Range Outlook for the remainder of March through May is for above normal temperatures and equal chances of above normal, near normal and below normal precipitation.

The latest Seasonal Drought Outlook through May indicates that drought conditions are likely to diminish in remaining areas of Central Alabama still experiencing them.

This statement is from NWS Birmingham, released on Thursday, March 1st. The next statement will be issued around Thursday, March 15th.

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